Thank you!! This is all fantastic feedback. The menus in particular are a part of the game that are still evolving and changing, and don't get as much feedback.
I'm right there with you with those thorn bushes. They're actually listed here on this page in the "Future Features" section above as something I'll be re-drawing before the next build. I do think you'll be happy with some of the new the new sprite animation cycles I worked on this week for Naru:
Naru will now have the ability to attack in multiple directions on ground and in air. These abilities will be upgrades you'll find or learn as you go (which was the original intent, but they were left unlocked so you could try them out in the demo.) This way, you'll be taught to use them in the same way the Mattock gives you a little "tutorial-without-the-tutorial." That is, a chance to use the ability right away as you find it without forcing you read a lot of immersion-breaking text.
I'm always tweaking and fine-tuning the controls and overall feel of the game, so again, thank you for the valuable feedback! I hope adding more story and interaction with NPCs will help portray more of a hook and some extra charm to the game. The lost village is right around the corner, and will introduce shops, story, and more quests. I hope you'll give it a try in the near future!